REFRESHED LYNN READY TO LEAD WARRIORS CHARGE

Dynamic top order batsman Chris Lynn is eager to display more carnage with the bat in hand for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Lynn was the team’s best batsman last year, scoring 454 runs at a remarkable average of 45.4, and recording a highest score of 86 from his 12 matches. Those stats helped the three-time runners-up reach the final against eventual winners Jamaica Tallawahs.

Despite the undisputed talent the player possesses, his international career for his native Australia has been curtailed by injuries just when he seemed to be in top form.

His participation at this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders saw him sustaining a shoulder injury while fielding. He had started that tournament in blazing form, cracking a 41-ball 93 which included eight sixes and six fours against the Gujarat Lions in his first match.

“My personal preparation is going really well. As I said, I've had time to freshen up, and now I'm starting my training campaign for the CPL. The body is feeling really well after my shoulder concerns. I've worked my backside off to get back to where I want to be,” the player disclosed in an interview with Guyana Times Sport.

He added, “After a couple of weeks’ break from the IPL and ICC Champions Trophy, I'm feeling refreshed and can't wait to get back to Guyana.”

According to ‘Lynny’, as he is called by teammates, the plan is the same as in previous years: score runs and help win matches.

“My goal this year is to back up my season last year and to be leading run scorer again. Traditionally, scores are fairly low at Guyana, so to be leading run-scorer with four home games there, I thought was a great achievement. So the goal is to back that up and go one better as a team this year,” he said.

Though Lynn is becoming an important international name in T20 Cricket, he admitted to having a sense of pride in wearing the Amazon Warriors’ jersey.

He explained, “Playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors is a bloody wonderful privilege. The pride when the players put on that jersey is something that has stood out to me and for me personally. Playing in Guyana is the total opposite conditions to what I have been brought up on, so I have really enjoyed taking up that challenge to do well.”

Commenting on the composition of the squad, the Queenslander said he is happy that the core remains the same. “Not too many changes, which is always a good sign. Obviously, I lose my best mate, ‘Zamps’ [Adam Zampa]. But in saying that, I am looking forward to playing with Rashid Khan,” he explained.

Responding to a question on how to break the jinx of not winning the title, the right-handed batsman said he feels there is not much to change. “I don't think I'll be doing much different to last year; we had a very successful campaign. At the start of the tournament, if you said that we would have come second, I think nearly everyone would take that. We lost our way in the final, but that happens in the game of T20 cricket; so, hopefully, the luck of the bounce goes our way this year.”

In his deep Aussie accent Lynn added, “We are a very driven team and are led by some quality coaches, but the best thing is that we had a lot of fun along the way, and grew as cricketers, but mainly as men.”

The cricketer is also looking to return to Florida, where Guyana won both of their matches last year against the Barbados Tridents. He’s hoping that history can spur them to start their campaign on a winning note when they play Chris Gayle-led St. Kitts and Nevis’ Patriots on August 5 at the Central Broward County Regional Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

The fifth edition of the league will run from August 4 to September 9, and the Warriors will have four home matches between August 17 and 22 at Providence.

On the 17th, they play defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs; after which they play arch-rivals Trinbago Knight Riders two days later. The Warriors then clash with the Barbados Tridents on the 20th, and then have their final home match against the St Lucia Stars on the 22nd.